Reviews - Rucksack Cover: Osprey Airporter LZ

I realised that most of the rucksacks I owned were old or badly designed so approached Osprey to see if they would like any of their new models reviewing. This is the first of the packs to arrive, and the one that I use most regularly. It’s very quickly become by default pack for heading out with. A 38 litre pack, the lid extends to make room for an additional 48 litres which makes it pretty much ideal for cragging, but with the capacity for heading out overnight. In the past, I’ve whinged about Osprey packs being over-designed, with too many straps and gimmicks. Whilst this one isn’t perfect, and still suffers a few irritating features, it is a whole lot better than my last one.

So what does it feature that I like? 4 well placed and discrete haul loops. It weighs 1.28kg which isn’t too bad for a robust pack like this (I’ve had a number of lightweight packs over the years, and whilst they are great initially they do tend to wear more quickly). Furthermore you can remove the internal frame and a neat consotina’d bivvi pad to drop this weight to 0.95Kg if you need a really light weight system. I like the roomy lid / pocket, but do find the top half has an irritatingly small opening meaning that any guidebooks or maps need to be kept in the inside pocket (of the lid). Maybe this is a deliberate decision by Osprey as the inside pocket is probably more water-proof, but I’d like to keep my guides / maps handy when the weather is good thanks. I like its narrow profile – makes it great for actually climbing in. On that note there is a curious little feature on the front of the pack which needs some explanation. If you wrap around the waist belt the buckles clip together neatly inside this ‘feature’ meaning that you can move it quickly and easily out of the way when climbing in a harness, or when boarding an airplane. Overdesign, maybe, but neat overdesign at least! I’ve already mentioned the bivvi pad which is basically an optional glorified sit-mat that would do in an emergency bivvie. The front of the main body is covered in a durable material which protects it from ice axes and abrasive chimneys. It’s also very comfortable.

The gear racking system on the waist belt is a curious feature in that it requires you to clip in karabiners into the tight loops. These krabs then stay fixed in place for you to rack gear onto, and aren’t usable for anything else. Not sure that this will take on over the more familiar system of bigger loops to rack your krabs onto as it simply requires you to carr more kit. I dislike the strapping system in place for the extendable lid. Effectively it runs back on itself through a couple of plastic rings on the sack meaning that it can be completely removed, but adding unnecessary strapping, and more plastic. Likewise I am not keen on the Z compression straps on either side of the pack. There’s not much room in there for a carry mat for example.

Retails at £80 which is well inside £100, a price tag I would consider would be a little steep for a pack of this size and spec. So very good value for money. All in all a very good pack indeed, and one that deserves, with a few tweaks, to become a classic!

What do Osprey say about it? Check out this video of Osprey athlete Matt Heliker demonstrating it's features.

The results of extensive testing and feedback from the vertical world, the Mutant 38 provides a simple, strong, lightweight solution for short alpine adventures or multi-day mountain trips.

Key Fabrics:
• Armourlite 420D
• Armourguard 900D
Stripped Weights:
• Small: 0.94 kg
• Medium: 0.95 kg
• Large: 0.96 kg
Reverse Wrap' ErgoPull Hipbelt
Secures the hip-belt out of the way whilst wearing a climbing harness.
3-Point Haul System
Allows secure wall hauling
Axe Loops and Gorilla Grip Patch
Allow for attachment of either technical/non-technical ice tools, the Gorilla Grip patch boosting durability against sharp ice picks.
Floating/Removable Lid
Allows the Mutant 38 to increase in capacity to a maximum of 48 litres, or shed overall pack weight when removed.
Hydration System Compatible
Internal hydration sleeve with hose port.
Hypalon Racking Loops
Exclusive to the Mutant, a proven, noninstrusive gear racking/organization system for climbing equipment.
Lid Pockets and Spindrift Collar
External pocket's circular profile prevents equipment/accessories finding their way into the far corners of the pocket, whilst the internal pocket keeps small items handy. Removable spindrift collar provides protection from the elements and extra retention for rope carrying.
Removable 3-fold Bivi Pad
Easy remove/replacable 3-fold bivi pad for super-light alpine use or as a simple sit mat.
Thermoformed EVA backpanel
Thermoformed EVA foam maintains ventilation and minimizes moisture absorption whilst a lightweight, removable framesheet helps stabilize the pack when loaded.
Z-Compression
Rapid, easy and removable load compression/adjustment. Easy installation of sleeping-mats, poles and skis. Once adjusted, excess webbing can be stowed in the Mutant's wand pockets.

Reviewed by Matt Heason on behalf of planetFear

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A simple bag designed for use by your average commuter or student, with laptop, files and the like, the Circuit doubles incredibly well as a regular day bag for a family with a coupel of kids. Basically it has pickets galore, but manages to have them without looking overly complicated. Can’t think of a better multi-use day-pack that I have ever seen. Not really suitable for anything more technical than walking if you were to venture out in it, but that isn’t what it’s designed for. Well done to Osprey for sticking to the design-brief rather than trying to make a master of all trades, jack of none. Weighs 1.08Kg and holds 32Kg.

What’s potentially of more interest than the above glowing comments, is the fact that the pack is part-made from recycled materials. It is part of the ReSource series of products Osprey have brought out n an attempt to demonstrate their environmental credentials. See below for details on this series. This pack is 55% recycled. Nice one.

What Osprey say about it:
Circuit
Recycled Materials Deluxe Daypack
If you prefer a daypack for your everyday needs, then the Circuit is what you are looking for. It fits most 17” laptops with ease and a plethora of organizational compartments and pockets will keep you going. Listen to your MP3 player with the built-in music port while carrying your gear in comfort with the deluxe harness and removable webbing hipbelt.
Colors available: Redwood, Panda, Glacier, Rainforest
Stretch Woven Front Pocket
The stretch woven front pocket on the Circuit and Cypher is made from 55% recycled materials.
Side Fabric Pockets
The Circuit and Cypher feature zipped fabric side pockets
Electronics Pocket
 

All ReSource daypacks feature an electronics pocket on the harness.
The ReSource Series is our first pack series built almost entirely from recycled materials. Each style includes the exact percentage of recycled materials by content. ReSource represents the next logical green step in our commitment to true sustainability.
Why ReSource?
At Osprey, ReSource represents the next logical green step in our commitment to being the leader in innovative design and quality.
What is recycled PET fabric?
It’s what the ReSource series packs are made from!! Recycled Pet is made from ground up water and soda bottles – the same ones we drink from everyday. PET is the acronym for Polyethylene Terephthalate, a thermoplastic polyester resin. The introduction of recycled Pet as a pack fabric provides a key component of the ReSource Series.
- 100% recycled PET fabric
- Minimum 70% total recycled materials by content
- 100% Recycled mesh pockets
- 60% recycled content spacer mesh
- 55% recycled stretch woven pockets
- 100% recycled binding tape
- 100% recycled webbing
- Recycled buckles – reground from buckle scrap
- 100% recycled fabric zipper pulls
(Non recycled foams, threads, zippers, piping and hypalon)

Reviewed by Matt Heason on behalf of planetFear
 

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A simple, yet effective back-hugging sack that clips onto most of the Osprey range using one of a series of special clip-sets. Basically it gives you an additional 8 litres on top of whatever pack you already have. It can be detached to use as a day bag or even a pillow, and works well as a running sack with it’s waist and hip belts meaning you can cynch it in nice and tightly. Neat. Weighs just 280g.

Reviewed by Matt Heason on behalf of planetFear

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Osprey UL Raincover

A neat lightweight and waterproof cover with an elasticated hem to stretch over your sack in heavy rain. I’ve found it particularly useful when leaving my pack at the base of a climb. In fact it is big enough for my mates pack too! Packs up into a small pocket which is sewn into the cover so you can never lose it. It lives in the lid of my Mutant 38 pack. Comes in a variety of sizes: 10-20l, 20-40l, 40-70l, 60l and above. Weights vary between 100g and 130g.

Reviewed by Matt Heason on behalf of planetFear

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Another clever bag from Osprey. I once had a bouldering mat that came in a heavy duty bag. When travelling to the US for a road trip with a massive luggage allowance, but no rucksack big enough to take advantage of it I decided to put my biggest sack inside the bouldering mat bag along with a sleeping bag, extra clothes and climbing ropes. It made for a very neat package to ckeck in at the airport with very few dangling straps to get caught on conveyors and giving just one carry-handle for the handlers to pick it up with. Osprey have effectively marketed exactly this device – a heavy duty, but reasonably light weight, large bag to put your rucksack inside, thereby protecting it from the rigours of air travel, and also providing an extra barrier to prying hands. The zips are even padloclable. Weighs 370g and has a capacity of 136l. External Dimensions: 94cm x 42cm x 47cm

Reviewed by Matt Heason on behalf of planetFear

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